In the process of writing this week’s story about ancestry and interviewing people passionate about genealogy research, my interest in the subject understandably was piqued.My father’s side of the family has gathered for a family reunion annually for more than 50 years. When your ...

While farmers and ranchers have always adhered to sound principles of animal husbandry and livestock care, society’s views on animal welfare continue to evolve.Today, there is a heightened awareness of the animal’s quality of life. While there are extreme fringe groups, “activists” if ...

The key to a healthy diet today is to eat a variety of foods, including grains, milk, vegetables, meat and fruits — all in moderation. Each of us needs to make smart choices about when we eat and how much.Another key ingredient in personal health is exercise. Something as simple as a ...

Over the years we have all heard advice related to food safety, some of which rings true, while other guidance is just plain wrong. September is National Food Safety Education month, which is a good time to review myths and facts regarding safe food handling. Myth 1: “If I heat food in the ...

With the advent of the new school year, there’s apprehension some youngsters may be leaving the school cafeteria hungry. This may be in part due to recent changes in this country’s school lunch program.No question, some of the changes in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act are good for our ...

With students back in school, traffic naturally increases at certain times during the day.We always should be attentive when on the road, whether it’s summer break or when school is in session.Tonganoxie Water Park, for instance, is a spot youths frequent often during the summer, and many of ...

With every passing year, farm machinery becomes larger and larger. Some of this new equipment is so large it extends into the oncoming traffic lane and far beyond the tractor pulling it.Farms are larger today than in the past, and farm operators are forced to travel longer distances on the ...

Drought relief for Leavenworth farmersLeavenworth County has been designated a “contiguous disaster county” because of the current drought, making our agricultural producers eligible for federal disaster relief. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved haying on ...

While farmers and ranchers continue to fill our plates with food, their plates are filled with an ever-increasing number of issues. Such issues include escalating production costs, tightening use of water, continuing drought in some western Kansas counties, an ongoing search for new markets for ...

The Leavenworth County Fair Parade usually has no shortage of political candidates hitting the pavement.This year might be a different story.The parade is Tuesday night, which also happens to be this year’s date for the primaries. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. The parade ...